Grammar Revision

Grammar Revision.

Colon - The colon has two main uses. Firstly it is used to introduce an idea that is an explanation or continuation of the one that comes before the colon. The colon can be considered as a gateway inviting the reader to go on. ‘You are left with only one option: Press on until you have mastered it.’

Semicolon - The semicolon can be used to sort out a complicated list containing many items, many of which themselves contain commas.

The comma splice - The comma splice is one of the most frequent mistakes made when using a comma. The comma splice occurs when a comma is used to connect two independent clauses.

Whose and who’s - Who's" is the contracted form of "who is" or "who has". "Whose" is a possessive form meaning "of whom" or "belonging to who" and is used in the following way. ‘Whom did you see?’ (Did you see him?) ‘I cannot see who is in the classroom.’ (He is in the classroom.)

Its and It’s - The building was missing its doors and windows. It's been a long time since we spoke," he whispered.

Like and as - Like is a preposition, which means that it can come before a noun but it should not come before a whole clause containing a verb. As is a conjunction, and can be used before a clause containing a verb.

Affect and effect - Affect - is a verb meaning to have an influence on. Effect - is a noun meaning a cause of change brought about by an agent.

Dangling participle - In the sentence below, the modifying clause (Rushing to catch the bus) contains a participle (rushing). The participle is said to be dangling because the subject of the main clause (Bob's wallet) is not the thing modified by the initial modifying clause. It was not Bob's wallet that was rushing. ‘Rushing to catch the bus, Bob’s wallet fell out of his pocket’

Pleonasm - Pleonasm occurs when unnecessary or redundant words are used. They simply add bulk to a sentence without adding any extra content.